The operator of Tucson Raceway Park has pulled out of his agreement with the Southwestern Fair Commission, putting n doubt the future of stock-car racing at the 3/8-mile track southeast of Tucson.
The fair commission and the lease-holder, Deery Sports West, are looking for a new operator and said they are optimistic they can find someone before the season starts in March.
They said a number of groups have expressed interest in running the track, but they were not ready to name names and no deal is imminent.
The track, which is owned by Pima County and leased along with the Pima County Fairgrounds to the Southwestern Fair Commission, is the only paved short track in Arizona.
The fair commission leases the track to Deery Sports West, which ran the track for several years before sub-leasing it yet again to Innovative Racing LLC two and a half years ago.
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It is Innovative Racing that has pulled out of the agreement, saying it can no longer operate the track.
Deery Sports remains the primary lease-holder, but the family that runs it now is based in Illinois running tracks there.
Southwest Fair Commission Executive Director Jon Baker said Deery needs to either run the track or find someone to run it.
“We do not intend to shut it down,” Baker said.
David Deery of Deery Sports said the track represents a good opportunity for an operator who is committed to promoting the track.
“It’s a beautiful facility, but it needs some help to build it up,” he said. “It’s physically in good shape, but it needs promotional growth to provide stability.”
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